TX Democratic Senators and the McLeroy Vote
I have been advised by a Democrat who called all twelve Texas Democratic Senators, that there are five who are non-committal on the McLeroy confirmation vote. I just got home from a trip to Austin, so I called the five Senators. I simply stated that I'm a Democrat and an educator, and I was calling to find out how the Senator was going to vote on the McLeroy nomination. I got almost the same exact answer from Hinojosa and Lucio's staff - they do not have an answer. These are two that worry me the most, although I wonder if we should be worried about Uresti, also. I'm pretty sure Ellis and Zaffirini are on board. Keep in mind that one danger is that one or more of our Democratic Senators will "walk" - in other words conveniently not be present for the vote. It requires 2/3 of the Senators PRESENT when the vote is taken, to confirm. If everyone shows up, all we need is 11 votes agaisnt confirmation to block it. Below, you'll find links to the Senators' websites, plus the Capitol phone number you can call to express your opinion. I made it clear to each of them - in a respectful, nice way - that I expected all twelve Democratic Senators to hold together and vote not to confirm McLeroy. Senator Juan Hinojosa - aide does not have an answer at the present time. (512) 463-0120 Senator Eddie Lucio - his aide has not been advised on how Lucio will vote. (512) 463-0127 Senator Carlos Uresti - aide who answered the phone said the staffer who is in charge of education issues is not in the office, so she couldn't speak on how Uresti would vote. (512) 463-0119 Senator Rodney Ellis - aide who answered the phone said she did not know how Ellis was going to vote because she had not discussed it with him. She said she would guess he "might not support" the McLeroy confirmation. (512) 463-0113 Senator Judith Zaffirini - aide says she is almost positive Zaffirini will oppose McLeroy's nomination. She also said she expects to see the nomination on the floor this weekend or early next week. (512) 463-0121 I'll also call the other seven Democratic Senators. You can find their contact info at this link. For complete coverage of the Texas State Board of Education - and all of the reasons why a vote for McLeroy is a vote for the religious right and a vote against Texas school children, see the TFN Insider.
4 comments:
It seems a little unethical to quote and publish comments without telling people that's what you're going to do, even if you don't identify them by name.
You have to be kidding. I used one quote and that was a loose translation. I had more extended conversations with these staffers, including one who expressed quite a bit of confusion about the issue, but I chose not to publish that.
Senators are elected by the public. Public tax dollars pay for their staff. The public has the right to be informed of communication with these offices.
My intent was to accurately report how each of these five were going to vote on the McLeroy nomination. To be honest, I was very disappointed I got the lawyer-like comment from most of these offices which was, "I'm not advised on how he/she will vote." But that's why I used the one quote, so as to be accurate.
This is an extremely important issue and the expectation is that Democrats will stand up for Texas school children. It's supposedly "our" issue. Why all of these staffers didn't answer, "He/she will vote against McLeroy" is anybody's guess.
I hope the grassroots effort is working and that you are getting a ton of calls about this. And if the lack of understanding how your guy or gal will vote is making the Senator and his/her staff uncomfortable, then find out how he/she will vote and let us know.
You're doing exactly what the people of Texas need right now.
Following my Number 1 rule rule of journalism:
"Quote 'em if they can't take a joke."
But seriously, no elected official has any right to expect an "off-the-record" status with a constituent, particularly when they didn't request it!
So keep on keeping on, and keep on quoting them!!
It is hard to believe a democrat is undecided about this issue.
Post a Comment